Bethany, Jay, and Michael Europa Clipper Bethany, Jay, and Michael

Europa Background Galilean moon of Jupiter Roughly the size of Earth’s moon Surface of fractured water ice (~40-90 Myr) Earth-like Iron core Rocky mantle Thought to have a deep planetary ocean

Europa Background Galilean moon of Jupiter Roughly the size of Earth’s moon Surface of fractured water ice (~40-90 Myr) Earth-like Iron core Rocky mantle Thought to have a deep planetary ocean

Evidence for an Ocean Strange magnetic field Conductive fluid Surface ice means potentially saltwater Surface cracking suggests fluid affected by tides

Evidence for Volcanic/Hydrothermal Activity Oceanic tides could create volcanic/hydrothermal activity Water plumes observed by Hubble in 2013 Surface pits and domes suggest ice convection

Research Goals Photograph surface, determine composition Measure ice shell thickness, search for subsurface lakes (like Antarctica)

Research Goals Determine ocean depth and salinity Search for warm-water eruptions

Research Goals Analyze composition of water plumes Relates to habitability Minimizes need to drill through ice

Mission Importance Europa’s potential for producing hydrogen and oxygen Relation to Earth Habitability Volcanism Serpentinization Hydrothermal vents Jupiter’s gravity Oxidant Cycling

Mission Importance Europa’s potential for producing hydrogen and oxygen Relation to Earth Habitability Volcanism Serpentinization Hydrothermal vents Jupiter’s gravity Oxidant Cycling

Mission Importance Europa’s potential for producing hydrogen and oxygen Relation to Earth Habitability Volcanism Serpentinization Hydrothermal vents Jupiter’s gravity Oxidant Cycling

How? Orbiter Magnetometer Magnetic field Depth, salinity of ocean Thermal instrument Warm water eruptions

How? Orbiter Radar Ice thickness Existence of lakes Spectrometers Surface composition Cameras

How? Lander Mass spectrometer Raman spectrometer Surface composition Still being discussed by scientific community

Mission Logistics Aim to launch sometime in the 2020’s Arriving in Jupiter system after a journey of several years Conduct flybys in orbit Map Europa’s composition, determine characteristics of ocean and ice shell, and develop understanding of geology Image the surface at high resolution

Mission Logistics Aim to launch sometime in the 2020’s Arriving in Jupiter system after a journey of several years Conduct flybys in orbit Map Europa’s composition, determine characteristics of ocean and ice shell, and develop understanding of geology Image the surface at high resolution

Flyby Logistics Once into orbit spacecraft will conduct around 45 close flybys Around every two weeks Flybys altitude ranges from 1700 miles to 16 miles above the surface

Earth Importance Europa’s potential for producing Hydrogen and Oxygen thought to be comparable to Earth Develops understanding of movement of energy and nutrients of our own ocean on Earth

Earth Importance Europa’s potential for producing Hydrogen and Oxygen thought to be comparable to Earth Develops understanding of movement of energy and nutrients of our own ocean on Earth

Earth Sustainability Even without volcanic activity on Europa, hydrogen production could still be present through serpentinization Allowing ocean to be oxidized Important process to explore that isn’t present on earth that creates building blocks for life